Singapore circuit resurfaced to cure bumps

[John S]

Now isn't that nice of the race organisers to make the track more comfortable for the drivers.   There was me thinking that F1 had to be challenging for the pilots.

Perhaps one day soon we wont even bother with cars on the track and the drivers can all have a comfortable time in simulators with a vitual race.    

Singapore Grand Prix organisers have resurfaced large sections of the city-state’s street track in a bid to reduce the bumpiness for this weekend’s race. The Marina Bay venue has proved a big hit with drivers, teams and fans since holding its first race two years ago, but the bumpy nature of the track surface received criticism from a number of drivers.

Race promoters have now reacted to the complaints by completing resurfacing work between turns three and seven and turns 14 and 18, as well as the pit lane.

The challenging turn 10 chicane – known as the Singapore Sling – has also undergone a modification for safety reasons, with the kerbing adjusted to a more gradual curve so drivers can now make a safer exit from the turn.

And although the fact the event is run under floodlights already means a spectacular backdrop is guaranteed for TV audiences, organisers have gone a step further to improve the circuit’s aesthetics by painting the track walls blue, green and yellow to mark the three sectors of the lap.

The run-off areas have also been painted red, white and yellow.

ITV-f1.com, Sept 21.

[Jericoke]

That's kinda neat having a visual indicator of the track sectors!

[romephius]

I completely agree Jeri, that's gonna be a great idea.... probably distracting for the drivers.... but who cares... at least everyone will know the sectors.

Can't wait for the race.

[cosworth151]

I've never been a fan of the Singapore circuit, but this sounds like a great idea. Hopefully the repaving and rework of The Sling will help, too.

[lkjohnson1950]

Racers are always the same. Way back when I was racing slot cars ( the big commercial ones ) the original tracks were a bit bumpy, or had sudden elevation changes and the drivers all complained "my car doesn't work over the bumps, take them out." The tracks changed until they were smooth as glass. In F1 this attitude is complicated by down force. If you make the car soft enough to work over the bumps, the aero will bottom it out. Only Red Bull and Newey seem to be able to combine acceptable suspension with high down force. 

Lonny

[Scott]

The drivers are complaining about safety.  Aren't corners there to test the drivers?  If it's a bit bumpy, well the better drivers will figure out a better line, and the not so better drivers will take it a bit slower.  I hate hearing that they are re-profiling difficult corners to make them easier to take at higher speed.  Low speed, difficult corners are ideal overtaking points...do we really want to lose any more?

[Jericoke]

The drivers are complaining about safety.  Aren't corners there to test the drivers?  If it's a bit bumpy, well the better drivers will figure out a better line, and the not so better drivers will take it a bit slower.  I hate hearing that they are re-profiling difficult corners to make them easier to take at higher speed.  Low speed, difficult corners are ideal overtaking points...do we really want to lose any more?

They should complain to the car designers who make the cars into spine mashers.

Rough up the tracks, and make the teams design cars to accommodate it.  It's not like a 'rough' F1 track isn't 10 times smoother than what most of us drive on daily.